By a 71 - 23 percent margin, New Jersey voters oppose hiking the gasoline tax to help
balance the state budget, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
Opposition to a gas tax hike drops to 57 - 39 percent if the money is used to finance road
improvements.

Opposition to a gas tax hike is strong among men and women, Democrats,
Republicans and independent voters and urban, suburban and rural voters, the
independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.

New Jersey voters support stem cell research 68 - 20 percent, but support by a
narrower 47 - 42 percent margin a proposal by Acting Governor Richard Codey to
spend $380 million in state funds for this research.

"Voters almost never support a tax increase, so it's significant that four in ten
New Jersey voters would back a gasoline tax hike - if it went to improve the state's
highways. Support drops dramatically when voters are asked to support a gasoline tax
hike to balance the budget," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac
University Polling Institute.

"New Jersey voters overwhelmingly support stem cell research, but backing
declines sharply when an expensive price tag is put on the program. Even then, a
plurality support Acting Gov. Codey's proposal which would make the state a leader in
stem cell research," Richards added.

By a 74 - 20 percent margin New Jersey voters say it's a "good idea" to amend
the state constitution to create an office of lieutenant governor, where a candidate is
elected along with the governor and serves as governor if the governor is unable to
complete the term.

Voters also say 78 - 10 percent that it's a "good idea" to have a constitutional
convention after the 2005 elections to restructure New Jersey's property tax system.

"It's not surprising that voters overwhelmingly want constitutional changes to cut
property taxes and to create the post of lieutenant governor in New Jersey. Property
taxes have long been identified in Quinnipiac University polls as the number one
problem in the state," Richards said.

"And New Jersey voters have seen twice in four years the problems that develop
when a governor resigns leaving the Senate president as acting governor."

From January 18 - 24, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,215 New Jersey
registered voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts
public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Florida
and nationally as a public service and for research.
For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu and quicklinks or call (203) 582-5201.

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling
his job as President?

TREND: Some people have suggested amending the state constitution to create
an office of lieutenant governor. The lieutenant governor would be the
governor's running mate and become the governor if the governor is unable to
complete their term. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea?

Good Bad
idea idea DK/NA

Jan 27, 2005 74 20 6
Nov 17, 2004 73 20 7
Aug 25, 2004 73 20 7

TREND: There is a proposal to have a constitutional convention after the 2005
elections to restructure the property tax system in New Jersey. Do you think
this is a good idea or a bad idea?

Good Bad
idea idea DK/NA

Jan 27, 2005 78 10 11
Nov 17, 2004 79 9 12

5. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job
as President?

19. Some people have suggested amending the state constitution to create an
office of lieutenant governor. The lieutenant governor would be the
governor's running mate and become the governor if the governor is unable to
complete their term. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea?